Any Kenyan undergrad(s) in Kuopio University-Finland?

[Ester]

Originally Posted by KILL PROPAGANDA

You know, Sanaa, that's where sometimes I feel like we're getting a raw deal. We need more tech companies in Kenya. Usually in Kenya the student depends on himself of the supervisor to come up with ideas for thesis. companies offer no ideas at all.

Also if Lecturers advised students how serious these things were, they would do a much better job with the reports.

Currently, even I dare not share with any employer or MSc Program my report for 4th year project. I cut too many corners then.

Of course you're getting a raw deal. Wasn't that our bone of contention in the 'med vs actuarial' thread? Ubaya wenu is that when any "negative" criticism is given by abroad folks, you guys take it personally. In the States, all undergrads are required to complete a capstone project; which is an independent research pursuit in the student's major. A well-written thesis and presentation is an absolute must. At the completion of undergrad studies, many bright students will have already accumulated significant results from their research, and most of them get published in top journals.

@kikolyo,

Sanaa probably has a better picture about the education system in Finland. If the thesis requirement becomes a hinderance to your admission; why don't you look for research facility back home, either private or university-funded, where you can at least work towards attaining results that would facililate writing a good thesis?

[A.M Nafusi]

Originally Posted by Ester

A well-written thesis and presentation is an absolute must. At the completion of undergrad studies, many bright students will have already accumulated significant results from their research, and most of them get published in top journals.

Not true, it is not an "absolute must". Examples include 'Physical chemistry journals'...I am not sure there are top and bottom pharmacological journals.

[KILL PROPAGANDA]

Originally Posted by Ester

Of course you're getting a raw deal. Wasn't that our bone of contention in the 'med vs actuarial' thread? Ubaya wenu is that when any "negative" criticism is given by abroad folks, you guys take it personally. In the States, all undergrads are required to complete a capstone project; which is an independent research pursuit in the student's major. A well-written thesis and presentation is an absolute must. At the completion of undergrad studies, many bright students will have already accumulated significant results from their research, and most of them get published in top journals.

@kikolyo,

Sanaa probably has a better picture about the education system in Finland. If the thesis requirement becomes a hinderance to your admission; why don't you look for research facility back home, either private or university-funded, where you can at least work towards attaining results that would facililate writing a good thesis?

In the states bla bla bla ad nauseum... You sound like a gramophone permitting the gramophone is a trifle out of order.

You think we do not know how journals work! Scientific journals usually do not publish work by undergraduate students. Ati most of them get published by top journals, maybe top journals in your village. You sound like one overly excited over mundane issues. Take it easy.

And your advice here is just horrendous. The guy graduated years ago and is now a teacher with some experience, how is linking up with a research facility going to help him/her get a thesis towards an undergraduate degree she already has?

[Ester]

Originally Posted by A.M Nafusi

Not true, it is not an "absolute must".

Not all journal publications are equal, based on popularity (number of citations) among other factors.

[Ester]

Originally Posted by KILL PROPAGANDA

Scientific journals usually do not publish work by undergraduate students.

Ati nini? Err, I'm talking from first-hand experience.

You haven't a damnest clue about anything, but the way you talk people would think you're on Mashada's payroll as their career counsellor.

Originally Posted by KILL PROPAGANDA

how is linking up with a research facility going to help him/her get a thesis towards an undergraduate degree she already has?

One would need a project of some sort in order to generate a thesis???

[KILL PROPAGANDA]

Originally Posted by Ester

Ati nini? Err, I'm talking from first-hand experience.

You haven't a damnest clue about anything, but the way you talk people would think you're on Mashada's payroll as their career counsellor.

Ati first hand experience! Nonsense! Only extremely gifted undergraduate students get their work published in journals and even this is rare.

Are you a subscriber of any journals? Well, I am. And the articles I find in the journals I subscribe to are by senior scholars, not struggling undergrads.

And FYI, I'm a part-time career counsellor. Now you know who to call when you need guidance.

[KILL PROPAGANDA]

Originally Posted by Ester

One would need a project of some sort in order to generate a thesis???

Did you even read her question or are you illiterate? She graduated years ago. The only thesis the Masters program is interested in is one she did when she was an undergraduate.

Doing a thesis now is not going to help her. Kinda like cramming the Periodic Table after the KCSE chemistry exam has been done.

[Ester]

Originally Posted by KILL PROPAGANDA

Only extremely gifted undergraduate students get their work published in journals...

Thanks for the compliment.

Originally Posted by KILL PROPAGANDA

Are you a subscriber of any journals? Well, I am. And the articles I find in the journals I subscribe to are by senior scholars, not struggling undergrads.

You need to switch your subscriptions. Which journals do you read anyway?

Originally Posted by KILL PROPAGANDA

And FYI, I'm a part-time career counsellor.

Ah, you're only part-time? I work full time, pull some overtime hours and I'm on call 24-7.

@ kikolyo,

Since you're interested in a very research oriented field(Molecular Biology), hands on experience in a lab would be beneficial to you. There are a host of skills you could learn there (ex. genotyping, microarray studies, Western blots etc)...

[A.M Nafusi]

Originally Posted by KILL PROPAGANDA

Ati first hand experience! Nonsense! Only extremely gifted undergraduate students get their work published in journals and even this is rare.
Are you a subscriber of any journals? Well, I am. And the articles I find in the journals I subscribe to are by senior scholars, not struggling undergrads.
And FYI, I'm a part-time career counsellor. Now you know who to call when you need guidance.

I think she is getting confused with having worked with someone on a research paper. While giving credit to the authors, her name showed up, but she did not notice that it lacked an asterik to it. That asterik tells who was responsible for the project, and half the time, it is the scholars, not undergrads. For all we know, the undergrad may have been washing lab dishes!

The only other option I know of is that of Undergrads who sign up for the 5 year doctoral program, but they also work under a prof in that research.

Now, about popularity of citation and journals: That was resolved along ago, late 90's. It is no longer a measure of scholarly work.

Popscience lost it's glamour when Doctors like Adam started killing patients and running around on showbiz.

[Ester]

Originally Posted by KILL PROPAGANDA

She graduated years ago. The only thesis the Masters program is interested in is one she did when she was an undergraduate.

Exactly. And since the poster clearly mentioned that he was not familiar with an 'undergrad thesis,' most likely case scenario is that he didn't complete one.

Which is why gaining hands-on research experience and writing a formal report (at this point in time), would demonstrate to the admissions committee that the applicant has scholarly capabilities.